Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-15
STARTLING PROPHECIES.
The Inter- State Commerce Act Criti-
caIIy Analysed and Its e.
fCCts Predicted
Serious Consequences Likely to At
tend the Disruption OF Established
Trade Conditions,
Ehe IaHuenco of the Act Declared TO BE
Specially Detrimental to the WesL-
orn Farmer.

Chicago Ioter-Ocean.
NEW YORK, April Ga gentleman well
known throughout the country for his
inclination to patient ard exhaustive re-
search and familiarity with sOcio-
economic qlestions was induced to give
his opinion on the operation and COnse-
guences of the Interstate commerce act
for the benefit Of the readers of the
Inter Ocean. On account Of the promi-
uent position he holds, he very naturally
desires that his name shall not be men
toned in connection with the matter.
The following statement represents his
views:
| have for many years given special at
tentiOn to matters within the scope of the
interstate commerce act and am in hearty
accord with its prOfessed purposes. was
among the first to point out the evils, of
preferential rates based on the amount Of
traffic or locality and the danger Of the
pooling combinations. My views upon
these subjects were at that time secuted
as extreme, but the results Of the past
fifteen years have more than justified my
predictions. 1t Is the patient study of GER
tam phases of our economic relations ana
3 careful analysis of
THE EFFECTS OF SPECIFIC
forces upon the known conditions of
trade and production that have led me. to
form opinions so greatly at variance with
the generally accepted view Of the imme-
date and ultimate effects of this act.
Even now | should hesitate to express
them had l not so often seen the most
Wanted business s8gaCity showing itself
Utt.'.y anable TO estimate the effects Of
the most evident causes upon the general
prosperity.
While the bill was before Congress I
tried by every means in my power to
have the subject it embraces treated in
detail, as, Tor instance, TO prohibit
pooling and individual preferences
based on the amount Of freight
or other more personal considerations,
and then to give the commission sUpeTvi-
sion OF the enforcement of this, and let
them make suggestions as to the exten-
sion of their powers and subsequent leg
islatIOn. 1t seemed to me es3eCially IN
desirable to begin the work of federal su-
peTyisIOn of traffic by making so many
radical changes in the conduct of q bust
ness which is not OulY greater than any
other, but is also the most important, from
the fact that it Intimately affects every
other is concentrated in few hands, is
liable to less competition, and is, in fact,
the most compact, Manageable, and pO-
lent force Of modern CiyiLZAtiOn-trans
poTtatIon by steam.
Il d5d not seem TO me possible that
men so ignorant of the paiHest principles
connected with thIs au-impOTtant ques-
ton, IS both tie advocates and opponents
OF me measure in Congress showed them
selves 10 be, could devise, at a moments
notice, set Of related provisions cal
Culated TO meet all the eXigeucies of
truIlC, Gud protect the infinitely varied
interests dependent thereon from undue
. disturbance. Tue destruction Of a social
4 or economic evil often develops new and
!. sometimes even more dangerous tenden-.
Cies. II seemed to me impossible that
SUDDEN DISRUPTION
Of so many Of the established conditions
of trade should not be attended with very
serious consequences, not so much to the
transportation interests rs to the general
business of the country.
Even in the modified form the act
finally assumes, was not without appre-
hension in reference to It's practical
results. These have been more than con-
frmed by careful analysis Of its pro
. probable effects. l think any one who
has given anything like reasonable atten-
ton to what the railroads haul, from
. whom it IS hauled, and between what
points the bulk of traffic is, will not fell
! 10 reach substantially the same con-
. cLusious SIS have forced themselves
on my conviction. In arriving
a. these conclusions I may say that l have
i proceeded on the hypothesis that the
! commission will perform its duties and
4 exercise its powers with the utmost
4 ssgaClty; that it will receive from the
4 government and the people The fullest
measure Of support, aud thar the rail
roads themselves viii strictly observe
and faithfully carry out the, provisions of
the law, without taking undue or un-
reasonable advantage Of the position in
which they tiHd themselves most upex-
q pectedty placed. Promising these things,
the following immediate results NAV be
safely predicted:
l. Decided increase in the aggregate
amount paid for the transportation of
4 treight-that Is, an increase Of the average
rate per ton per mile.
2. As this VIII result chiefly from en-
hanCement of rates upon through freight.
it will naturally reduce the profits 6f the
8 producer for 8 distant market, unless
there is q corresponding increase in
q price.
.. 4 still more marked enhancement of
the aggregate amount received from pas
senger traffic. 1t is probable that COM
mutations which are open to the public
such as l000-nne tickets and season rates
ostWeen specific points-Wil remain.
~ are certainly in the interest Of the
- y are not prohibited by the act
1fy az Of the pass and favor SYSTEM
sklrSN rs removed. 1t is estimateJ
broide &